Summary:

Two centuries ago, European Green Crabs arrived in New England’s coastal waters and quickly became one of the world’s most notorious marine invaders — outcompeting native species, devouring shellfish, and threatening local fisheries. In this episode of Time and Tide, we explore how scientists, fishers, chefs, and local volunteers are countering this invasive species by turning an ecological problem into an unexpected and delicious resource.

Show notes:  

Two centuries ago, a tiny stowaway arrived in New England’s coastal waters: the European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas). Since the early 1800s, this unassuming invader has spread from the Mid-Atlantic to Canada’s Prince Edward Island, causing significant ecological damage and economic headaches along the way.

In this episode of Time and Tide, we dive into how green crabs became one of the world’s most notorious marine invaders — outcompeting native species, devouring shellfish, clipping seagrasses, and threatening local fisheries. But what if we could counter this invasive species by putting them on our plates — and even in our glasses?

Join host Brian Yurasits and co-host Erik Chapman as they explore how scientists, fishers, chefs, and local volunteers are turning this problem into an unexpected and delicious resource.

In Act 1, Dr. Gabriela Bradt, fisheries specialist with NH Sea Grant and UNH Extension and leader of the NH Green Crab Project, crabwalks us through the green crab takeover of U.S. coastlines, and why soft-shell green crabs could be New England’s next sustainable food craze if the idea catches on.

In Act 2, Mary Parks, Founder and Executive Director of GreenCrab.org, explains how this crustacean menace is finding its way onto restaurant menus — through the creativity of chefs and harvesters working to open new markets.

Tune in to learn how we might just be able to eat (and drink) our way to a healthier ocean.

Guest Speakers:

Dr. Gabriela Bradt, Fisheries Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant & UNH Extension

Mary Parks, Founder and Executive Director, GreenCrab.org

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

NH Green Crab Project

GreenCrab.Org

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

A new workshop called Living With Water is designed to help realtors navigate these turbulent times, by equipping them with resources on flood risks in New Hampshire.

Show notes:

The housing market is a hot topic in the Granite State and across the US, to say the least. A part of this conversation relates to how insurance companies are dropping coverage for homeowners due to the increased risk of natural disasters. In New Hampshire, flooding risks are of particular concern, from the White Mountains to the Gulf of Maine. A new workshop called Living With Water is designed to help realtors navigate these turbulent times, by equipping them with resources on flood risks in New Hampshire. Learn from the workshop's creators about how realtors can navigate flood risk with their clients, and why conversations during the home buying and selling experience are a great time to talk about stewarding the future of our natural spaces.

Act 1: Turning ideas into reality with Lisa Wise and Lynn Vaccaro, both members of the New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup. When realtors in the seacoast community identified the need to learn more about flood risks, this dynamic duo stepped up to the challenge.

Act 2: Talia Sperduto shares her personal journey from sustainability to real estate, and why flooding has become an everyday concern in her work.

Guest Speakers:

Lisa Wise, Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension

Lynn Vaccaro, Coastal Training Program Coordinator, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and NH Fish and Game

Talia Sperduto, owner of Whole Heart Homes, real estate professional specializing in coastal and historic home sales in the communities of greater Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME. Member of the Seacoast Board of Realtors.

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

Living With Water: Resources for Realtors

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Just six miles off New Hampshire’s coast, the Isles of Shoals emerge from the sea—a world apart, shaped by nature, time, and human hands. Historian Ann Beattie helps us imagine what these isolated New England isles may have looked like through the years.

Show notes:

Just six miles off New Hampshire’s coast, the Isles of Shoals emerge from the sea—a world apart, shaped by nature, time, and human hands. With a history as rugged and remarkable as the rocky shoreline at your feet, these islands have left a surprisingly global mark.

In this episode, local historian and storyteller Ann Beattie helps us imagine what these isolated New England isles may have looked like through the years. How has time transformed the Isles of Shoals? And what lessons from the past still ripple through today?

Beyond ghost stories and pirate legends, the Isles offer insights into the evolution of fishing, the history of cod, and development of coastal economies—topics still vital to our region today.

Curious to see it for yourself? You can visit Appledore Island this summer on a public boat tour with the UNH Marine Docents.

Guest Speaker:

Ann Beattie, Isles of Shoals Historian

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Sign up for an Isles of Shoals Cruise today:

Appledore Island Walking Tour

Learn more about Shoals Marine Laboratory

Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement